Sech to square off with Waite in Champion Republican primary

CHAMPION  The race for town highway superintendent will see two Republicans squaring off in a Sept. 10 primary as incumbent John F. Sech faces challenger Louis J. Waite.

Mr. Sech ran for office with the hope of repairing roads, and that has continued to be a priority.

I wanted to get the road back in shape and keep them up to snuff with the least amount of money for the taxpayers. Also, keep the roads clean and safe in the winter, the incumbent said.

Mr. Sech, a 1972 Carthage Central High School graduate, grew up in Champion on his familys farm. He worked for five years in the town Highway Department as a maintenance equipment operator before becoming the supervisor.

Mr. Sech has been married to Cathy A. Wright for three years. Between them, they have six grandchildren. Mr. Sech has two sons: Brian, who also works for the town of Champion, and Wayne, who works for Pala Wood Services in Watertown.

Mr. Waite has thrown his hat into the ring because, he said, he believes the town needs fresh ideas.

I travel all over the state and see different things in different towns, said Mr. Waite, who is employed as a truck tire salesman for Long-Park Tire Inc. of Watertown.

Before his current job, Mr. Waite worked as a heavy-equipment mechanic on Fort Drum for eight years. He served as Champions town supervisor in 1994-95 and as the Jefferson County legislator for District 7 from 1996 to 1999.

Mr. Waite, a 1972 Copenhagen Central School graduate, has lived in Champion for more than 30 years. During that time, he has been active in the Champion Fire Company, serving for several years as fire chief. Over the years, Mr. Waite has attended a number of training sessions, including ones for leadership through his fire service.

If elected, Mr. Waite said he plans to implement rotating night shifts for the highway departments workers and said he will be available 24-7.

He has been married to Susan J. Waite for 11 years and has three sons  Corey, who lives in Watertown and works for Monroe Tractor; Craig, who is a self-employed contractor living in Champion, and Kyle Overton, a painter also living in Champion  and two granddaughters.

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